Not-a-coffin guitar case anatomy [Pictures] - created 06-02-2005
Senseney, Steve - 06/02/2005.21:07:35
I just got this off of Ebay. The guitar needs some repair, and when I get further along with it, I will post some pictures. The seller thought it was from around 1850, but the guitar is unlabeled. I can't specifically identify the guitar, but if some one has a good idea, I would like to hear about it.
I am showing pictures of the coffin case. It does need some repair.
There have been several discussions about building cases. This might give some ideas.
Closed case.
Interior view of the end of the case.
That's really what you call a coffin case?
Turbocad drawing of the design of the case.
The case has bent wood ends and corners. The neck portion is built separately. The back and top are pine, .3 inch thick.
The sides are thinned at the curves, and are .15 inch at the curved areas. Reinforced areas at the back and the top are placed in the curved areas. The curves around the top of the opening are raised .20 inches, and the top part is recessed to accept that piece of wood. This stabilized the back and top when the case is closed.
The neck is stabilized by the 2 blocks of wood. I am sure a small cover for the box area is missing.
Top and back seem to be simply glued with hide glue. No nails are present.
The case had paper lining the inside of the case, with green coarse fabric, which has deteriorated severely, over the bottom and edges of the body area.
The hinges and handle and lock are simple, but interesting.
If you have other questions ask away.
(I wasn't sure where to put this discussion. Move it as needed.)
I wouldn't say that was a coffin case. It's a pretty much self-descriptive term and that doesn't look like a coffin. But I do like both it and the contents. Nice find Steve.
When I've mentioned possibilities of building Coffin cases that isn't what I had in mind. I thought a coffin case looks like a coffin?
The guitar looks to be possibly French from well before 1900. I have one very similar, in need of much repair due to neglect and water damage.
Steve apparently had a bad night (something about TurboCad crashing caused temporary insanity), went down to the shop and "Ellie-ized" the case. Here's the result:
Very nice Ian. I know where you were last night!!
I know where you were last night!!
This morning, actually. The twins make it impossible to do any "real"
I wonder how that case would look with faux leopard skin and fuschia ball fringe? Sadly, I have neither material set up in Tcad
In the pictures, the lining paper is just about that bizarre.
I am not clever with the lighting or materials in Turbocad. I have spent more time building guitars lately, and have not been using (or learning) Turbocad as much lately.
That is NOT a coffin case.... Neat, yes, cool, for sure, but not a coffin case.
Okay, I won't call it a coffin case. Change the title to Cool, but not Coffin Case.
Hi Steve,
P.S. - Very nice guitar!
Generally, a coffin case is rectangular, without contours that somewhat follow a guitar shape. I'd consider the Fender cases coffin-shaped, as well as the rectangular case that came with my Gibson. I wouldn't consider this case a coffin case, since it's fitted to a guitar outline.
There is a style of human coffins that have been used by humans for several millenia that is called an "anthropoid coffin", or a coffin in the shape of a human. King Tut had one. This is just a "guitaropoid" coffin case.
Thanks for resolving this issue John.
In my mind, I remember a Stradivarius coffin case for violin. It had edges highlighted with raised tacks, like the furniture from the 50s. I can't find the specific case I have pictured in my mind.
If you Google images for "violin coffin case", a couple of examples show up which could be adapted for small guitars.